FRA 06-23

May 12, 2023

Contact: FRA Public Affairs

Tel.: (202) 493-6024 

FRAPA@DOT.gov

FRA Releases Washington Union Station Expansion Project Supplemental 

Draft Environmental Impact Statement

FRA looks to regional partnerships to help implement a new project alternative and ensure 

Union Station remains in sound fiscal condition

On May 12, 2023, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released a Supplemental Draft 

Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the Washington Union Station Expansion Project 

(Project) as well as a Draft Section 106 National Historic Preservation Act Programmatic 

Agreement and Draft Section 4(f) of the US Department of Transportation Act Evaluation. FRA 

will accept public comments on these documents through July 6, 2023. The SDEIS assesses the 

potential impacts on the human and natural environment of a new Preferred Alternative 

developed in response to comments on the 2020 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

The Project would improve critical rail infrastructure to accommodate increased intercity and 

commuter rail service into the future. By reconstructing all tracks and platforms as well as 

providing new internal circulation space and amenities, the Project would accommodate higher 

levels of train service. The Project would support Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) 

and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) through-running trains and complement investments in

intercity passenger service on the Northeast Corridor and south of Washington, D.C., including

the Long Bridge project.

Buses are accommodated in the new Preferred Alternative with a new east-west bus facility,

recognizing their important transportation service at the multimodal Union Station. The bus 

facility at Union Station provides convenient access for scheduled intercity travel and 

connections for visitors to the District of Columbia.

In response to comments received on the 2020 DEIS, the new Preferred Alternative substantially 

reduces parking and places it and other vehicle functions including pick-up and drop-off below 

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the tracks. By placing vehicles below ground at substantial cost, the Preferred Alternative creates 

more opportunity for commercial development and public space above the tracks. 

These and other changes were requested by the District of Columbia and other stakeholders. 

Reduced parking revenue and an expanded station require new sources of income to maintain 

and operate the station. FRA looks to the governments of the District of Columbia, Maryland,

and Virginia, and others to become funding partners for the Project and to ensure the continued 

viability of the station.

A Union Station Expansion Project Delivery and Governance Study has been launched by 

InfrastructureDC (IDC), in partnership with the District of Columbia Government. FRA is 

pleased to participate in this study that can bring regional stakeholders together to support the 

expansion of Union Station. 

The SDEIS is available here, along with information on public comment opportunities and more 

information about the Project.

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